"The Jose that you see in interviews is also the Jose the players see, he really is that confident in himself.”

Italy international Motta has played under some of the finest coaches in world football, including Carlo Ancelotti, Frank Rijkaard and Laurent Blanc, his current boss at Paris Saint-Germain.

But Mourinho’s total conviction in his methods and proven ability to turn a group of players into winners at every club where he has worked gives him the edge over his managerial rivals, according to Motta.

“Mourinho is a very strong coach, he’s a strong person. Maybe that’s sometimes what goes against him at clubs, but you have to respect him for saying ‘it’s my way or no way’. His knowledge of the game is not in dispute.

“What he does insist on at the club is a family atmosphere - whatever happens at the club stays inside the club.

“He won’t insist that everybody has to get on, because that doesn’t always happen in a family, but he will insist that any issues are dealt with internally.”